Jewelry extension arrangements

ABSTRACT

A jewelry band extension link has a female end shaped to form a slide cavity therein and the other end is formed as a male end having a slide member adapted to mate with the slide cavity of a link having a corresponding female end. Securing means is provided whereby the extension link can be secured, permanently, or semipermanently, in association with a link, in the jewelry band, having a corresponding male or female end so as to lengthen the band, and, if the extension link is only semipermanently secured, it can be removed to shorten the band again.

IInited States Patent 1,440,230 12/1922 Mestekin Inventor Roger M. King Watford, England Appl. No. 16,123

Filed Mar. 3, 1970 Patented Jan. 4, 1972 Assignee Milner King Watford, England Priority Oct. 15, 1969 Great Britain 50,576/69 JEWELRY EXTENSION ARRANGEMENTS 13 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 24/265 WS, 63/4 Int. Cl A44c 5/18 Field of Search 24/201 BN,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Printed Application Primary ExaminerDonald A. Griffin Attorney-Bierman & Bierman ABSTRACT: A jewelry band extension link has a female end shaped to form a slide cavity therein and the other end is formed as a male end having a slide member adapted to mate with the slide cavity of a link having a corresponding female end. Securing means is provided whereby the extension link can be secured, permanently, or semipermanently, in association with a link, in the jewelry band, having a corresponding male or female end so as to lengthen the band, and, if the extension link is only semipermanently secured, it can be removed to shorten the band again.

PATENTED'JAN 4m 3631573 lnvenlor By dbl/MM I WM, Attorney JEWELRY EXTENSION ARRANGEMENTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It will be appreciated that wrist circumferences differ significantly from person to person so that a jeweller selling close-fitting bracelets (especially watch bracelets) may have to keep a large stock of bracelet sizes in order to be able to accommodate customers wrist sizes reasonably immediately. If the jeweller wishes to keep his stock low, then this may be possible if the bracelet is of the form comprising a large number of links and they are easily removable to reduce the length of the bracelet. This however usually requires the customer to wait while a secure alteration is made to the bracelet. Bracelets are also of course provided whereby the length can be altered by the way in which the clasp portion is connected. The most usual form of adjustable length clasp is a ladder-type clasp whereby the length of the bracelet is determined by which rung of the ladder portion is connected to the other part of the clasp. Such clasps may be regarded, however, as spoiling the overall appearance of the bracelet and destroying the uniform appearance thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to produce an arrangement whereby a bracelet or like article may be lengthened easily and speedily and without detriment to the overall appearance of the article where a bracelet or the like of uniform appearance is involved.

Accordingly this invention provides a link for lengthening the clasp or main body of an article of jewelry or the like, said link having at one end (or female end) a slide cavity formed therein, and having at the other end (or male end) a slide member adapted to fit into and mate with the slide cavity of a link having a corresponding female end, securing means being provided whereby said link can be secured in association with a link, having a corresponding male or female end, when connected therewith.

Such a link, or several such links, can be inserted into a bracelet or the like, at special points where similar male and female like ends of the bracelet parts are provided, in order to lengthen the bracelet with ease to a desired length; or conversely, one or more links are removed in order to shorten the length of the bracelet. Once the length has been determined the added links can be fixed by virtue of the securing means. It may, however, be preferred that the bracelet be, as faras possible, of regular appearance as to the shape, size, and ap pearance of the bracelet links and thus the link of this invention would then be more applicable for use in extending the length ofa clasp for a bracelet or the like. The clasp for extension will therefore most desirably comprise a male half having a slide member adapted to cooperate with the female end of said link and a female half having a slide cavity adapted to cooperate with the male end of said link. There will also desirably be some means for releasably holding the two clasp halves together in the closed position, such as a sprung boss projecting from the one half and a corresponding recess for cooperating therewith in the other half.

The securing means present in the link of this invention could be a sprung boss projecting from the male or female end and a cooperating recess at the other end. A more permanent securing means is however desired to alleviate the possibility of the bracelet, clasp or the like coming apart at the connecting position. It is preferred therefore that the securing means should be provided by so forming the slide member of the link and the slide cavity of a corresponding female end of another link that they are a very tight friction fit within one another. This is best achieved by tapering the end of the slide cavity into which the end of the slide member fits to a slightly smaller size than the end of the slide member so that the slide member has to be forced home and is therefore gripped in a friction fit by the excess material of the end of the slide cavity. This latter arrangement especially enables the parts to be loosely put together to check for the correct length and only then be rigidly secured, once the length has been finally determined, by forcing the slide member fully home. Another form of securing means is achieved by pinning the links together when in position. Furthermore, the securing means may be a screw screwed into corresponding holes in two interconnected member. Preferably the screw will be set into a countersunk hole so as to be flush with the surface of one member. This latter arrangement is particularly advantageous because it is possible to remove a link merely be unscrewing the screw.

The shape and position of the slide cavity and the slide member of the link (and clasp or other associated member) can vary enormously as desired; indeed, both the female end and the male end could appear virtually identical, each one having both a slide cavity and a slide member. Thus, for example, each end could carry a U-shaped (or for greater security hook-shaped) projection which mates with a similar projection on another member connected therewith. The most preferred form of arrangement, however, is one wherein the slide cavity is internal and open along at least part of its length as a narrow slot at one face of the female end and wherein the slide member is joined at a corresponding face of the male end by a narrow portion adapted to fit into such a slot. In its most usual form this type of arrangement will have the slide cavity and slide member at the end faces ofthe female and male ends respectively.

The top and side surfaces of the link of this invention, and any associated bracelet links, clasp portions and the like, are ideally provided with a surface pattern to disguise the presence of the join between links, and/or clasp portions. Such a pattern can be an irregular line pattern directed laterally across the surfaces of the various portions. The links can be provided in varying lengths so that the person wishing to extend an article e.g. jeweller) has a wide choice to suit a large number of length requirements, either by using one link or a combination of links of various sizes.

The link of this invention may be incorporated in any form of bracelet or like article and any form of clasp therefore; thus the link can be used for example, even to increase the length of a conventional ladder-type clasp, always provided that male and female ends are provided at the ends of the parts to which the link is to be joined, or the link can merely be inserted in the bracelet itself regardless of the clasp.

The invention does of course extend to jewelry such as watch bracelets, and the like articles incorporating the link of this invention, and/or clasps of the form hereinbefore defined in association with the link of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In order that the invention may be fully understood. preferred embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is an underneath plan view ofajewelry extension link piece constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view seen in the direction of arrow II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view seen in the direction of arrow III of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an end view seen in the direction of arrow IV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an end view seen in the direction of arrow V of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a male slide clasp half for use in conjunction with the link shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an underneath plan view of a female slide clasp halffor use in conjunction with the link shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an end view seen in the direction of arrow VIII of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 shows the combination ofa link piece of FIG. 1 and a male clasp half of FIG. 6 in underneath plan view secured together by an alternative form of securing means.

The link 1 shown in FIGS. I to has a male end 2 incorporating a slide member 3 and a female end 4 incorporating a slide cavity 5. At one end of slide cavity 5 part of the lower surface'of link I has been cut away at 6 and the other end is a blind end 7 of irregular finish. The slide member 3 is joined to the main body oflink l by a portion 8 of reduce thickness and ends at 9 at a position corresponding to the blind end 7 of slide cavity 5. A small portion of the link retains its thickness at 10 as a slide stop. It will be seen form FIG. 3 that a downwardly extending portion 21 leaves a narrow slot ofa size sufficient to accommodate the reduced thickness portion 8 shown in FIG. 2.

The link I can be used in a bracelet or the like constructed, at least partly, of links of this sort or having links which carry the female 4 or male 3 end configuration at one end. The link I can then be slid into a mating connection with the bracelet link and pushed hard home so that the end of the slide member 3 is pressed into the irregular finished end 7 of the slide cavity 5 and becomes substantially rigidly fixed there by a friction fit. By this means a jeweller can quickly and easily lengthen a bracelet for a customer on the spot by adding links 1 into the bracelet until the required length is achieved. The links 1 need not be pushed hard home until the exact length of the bracelet is determined so that the links can be remove, if necessary, or be replaced by longer ones.

The link 1 is ideally suited for extending the length of a clasp for a bracelet or the like. Such a use will now be described by additional reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. FIG. 6 shows the male half 11 of a slide clasp having connecting pieces 12 (whereby the clasp may be attached to a bracelet or the like) at one end and a slide member 13, similar to slide member 3 of FIG. 1, at the other end. FIGS. 7 and 8 show the female half 14 of the slide clasp and this is of similar configuration to female end 4 of FIG. I having a slide cavity 15 and the cutaway portion 16. It also has connecting pieces 12 for attachment to a bracelet or the like. However, at the blind end of slide cavity 15 is a cylinder 17 having a sprung boss 18 projecting from the end surface of female half 14. The male half II has, at a corresponding position to female half 14, a recess into which the boss 18 fits when the two halves are joined together into the closed position. Such a clasp formed of the two halves 11 and 14 can easily be lengthened by use of one or more extension links 1 which can be added to male half 11. It will be seen that a recess 19 is provided for cooperation with boss 18 on the end surface of link 1 just beyond the end 9 of slide member 3. It will be noted that the link I is curved inwardly to suit the shape ofa wearers wrist and clasp halves l1 and 14 to FIGS 6 and 7 will be similarly curved. Also, the top and side surfaces of the link I and clasp halves 11 and 14 are provided with an embossed, irregular, lined patter 20 (as can be seen for FIGS. 2, 3 and 6) which tends to disguise the join line between the various parts when connected together and give the appearance ofa single unit.

FIG. 8 shows and alternative form of securing means which may be used instead of the friction fit employed with the link piece shown in FIGS 1 to 3. In this embodiment, when a link piece I has been slid home into the cavity in connecting piece I2, the two members are secured together by means of screw 23 screwed through the countersunk hole 22 in link piece 1 into the slide member 13 of connecting piece 12. The hole 22 could ofcourse be provided in any member which is desired to be secured to another member, in such a position as is necessary to enable the screw to enter part of the other member.

The construction of the link I and clasp halves 11 and 14 can, of course, be modified as may occur to those skilled in the art. Thus the exact shape and positions of the various parts. such as the slide member 3 and slide cavity 5 may be varied. Also, for instance, the positions of boss 18 on clasp half 14 and the corresponding recess on clasp half 11 (or recess 19 of link 1) may be transposed, or even situated elsewhere, for example at opposed positions on the inner face of cavity 15 and the edge of slide member 13 furthest from connecting pieces 12.

I claim: 4 1. An extension link comprising a slide cavity formed in one end of said link for receiving a slide member. said cavity having a blind end, said blind end being sufficiently smaller than said slide member such that when said slide member is fully inserted in said slide cavity, a strong friction fit between said blind end and slide member occurs.

2. A link as claimed in claim 1 wherein the securing means is a configuration whereby a screw may be screwed into coinciding holes in two interconnected links.

3. A link as claimed in claim 2 wherein a countersunk hole for the screw is provided in a surface of the link. 4. A link, as claimed in claim 1 having a surface pattern thereon capable of disguising 4. presence of a joint between the link and any associated parts.

5. The extension link specified in claim 1 wherein said slide cavity has a shoulder on the end opposite the said blind end, and said slide member has a stop shoulder thereon adapted to contact said shoulder to limit the permissible movement of said slide member into said slide cavity.

6. A link as claimed in claim I further including securing means, said securing means comprising a hole passing through the body of the link whereby the link may be pinned, through a coinciding hole in another link having a corresponding male or female end when connected therewith.

7. A link as claimed in claim 6 wherein the securing means is a sprung boss projecting from the one end thereof and cooperating recess formed in the other end.

8. A link as claimed in claim 1 where the slide cavity is formed internally of said link and an opening is formed along at least part of the length of the cavity as a narrow slot at the one face thereof and a narrow portion adapted to fit into said slot connecting said slide member to another link.

9. A link as claimed in claim 8 wherein each ofthe end faces of the link provide the slide cavity and slide member respectively.

10. A clasp comprising an extension link having a female end shaped to form a slide cavity therein having a blind end, a male end at the other end of the link in the form of a slide member adapted to fit into and mate with the slide cavity ofa link having a corresponding female end, said blind end being sufficiently smaller than said slide member such that when said slide member is fully inserted in said cavity, a strong fric tion fit occurs, said link comprising a male clasp half having a slide member adapted to cooperate with the female end of said link and a female half having a slide cavity adapted to cooperate with the male end of another link.

11. A clasp as claimed in claim 10 including holding means for releasably holding together in the closed position one clasp half with the combination of the link and the other clasp half.

12. A clasp as claimed in claim I1 wherein said holding means comprises a spring boss projecting from the one clasp half or said combination and a corresponding recess for cooperation therewith formed in said combination or the one clasp half respectively.

13. A clasp as claimed in claim 10 wherein a surface pattern is formed on each of the parts capable of disguising the joins between the parts. 

1. An extension link comprising a slide cavity formed in one end of said link for receiving a slide member, said cavity having a blind end, said blind end being sufficiently smaller than said slide member such that when said slide member is fully inserted in said slide cavity, a strong friction fit between said blind end and slide member occurs.
 2. A link as claimed in claim 1 wherein the securing means is a configuration whereby a screw may be screwed into coinciding holes in two interconnected links.
 3. A link as claimed in claim 2 wherein a countersunk hole for the screw is provided in a surface of the link.
 4. A link, as claimed in claim 1 having a surface pattern thereon capable of disguising the presence of a joint between the link and any associated parts.
 5. The extension link specified in claim 1 wherein said slide cavity has a shoulder on the end opposite the said blind end, and said slide member has a stop shoulder thereon adapted to contact said shoulder to limit the permissible movement of said slide member into said slide cavity.
 6. A link as claimed in claim 1 further including securing means, said securing means comprising a hole passing through the body of the link whereby the link may be pinned, through a coinciding hole in another link having a corresponding male or female end when connected therewith.
 7. A link as claimed in claim 6 wherein the securing means is a sprung boss projecting from the one end thereof and cooperating recess formed in the other end.
 8. A link as claimed in claim 1 where the slide cavity is formed internally of said link and an opening is formed along at least part of the length of the cavity as a narrow slot at the one face thereof and a narrow portion adapted to fit into said slot connecting said slide member to another link.
 9. A link as claimed in claim 8 wherein each of the end faces of the link provide the slide cavity and slide member respectively.
 10. A clasp comprising an extension link having a female end shaped to form a slide cavity therein having a blind end, a male end at the other end of the link in the form of a slide member adapted to fit into and mate with the slide cavity of a link having a corresponding female end, said blind end being sufficiently smaller than said slide member such that when said slide member is fully iNserted in said cavity, a strong friction fit occurs, said link comprising a male clasp half having a slide member adapted to cooperate with the female end of said link and a female half having a slide cavity adapted to cooperate with the male end of another link.
 11. A clasp as claimed in claim 10 including holding means for releasably holding together in the closed position one clasp half with the combination of the link and the other clasp half.
 12. A clasp as claimed in claim 11 wherein said holding means comprises a sprung boss projecting from the one clasp half or said combination and a corresponding recess, for cooperation therewith formed in said combination or the one clasp half respectively.
 13. A clasp as claimed in claim 10 wherein a surface pattern is formed on each of the parts capable of disguising the joins between the parts. 